Shiptable steering-wheel.



E. H. VINCENT. SHIFTABLE STEERING WHEEL. APPucm'ou men 001. 2. 1915.

SHEET I.

Patehted June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS- E. H. ViNCENT.

SHIFTABLE STEERING WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED on. 2. 1915.

Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS$HEET 2.

Edward V/ntemf *W E. H. VINCENT.

SHIFTABLE STEERING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2. 1915.

Patented June 13, 1916.

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face 100 posiis in steel-1n 9 wheel into a sod-mt 27 formed in one ofthe. 105

- LINE! 1 (1 into g out remwvnrdh' made pzmsin indicated in dashed linesin Fig. 2, after which it may he tilted as shown in dashed lines in Fig.3, or it may be merely tilted (without sliding) into the full lineposition, Fig. 3. It may also be given a simultaneous tilting andsliding movement, the capacity for which is particularly important inthose cases wherein little clearance is provided between the wind shieldand the wheel. The inclination of the surface 2.5 is preferably such asto cause the latch-bolt to be automatically thrust back into the head asthe wheel is swung back into steering position.

In lieu of the nuts 18, the bolt 12 may be provided with a hollow nut(Fig. 6) that inc-loses a compression spring 31, the inner end of whichbears against the flange 14. The nut 30 and lock nut 19 being properlyadjusted, it follows that a constant predetermined pressure will beexerted on the flanges 14 and that this pressure may be madesufficientto establish a close frictional engagement between the flanges and head,whereby the wheel may beheld in any position and wear may beautomatically taken up.

The flanges 14 of the spider may be joined by a web 32 (Fi s. 4, 5 and6) that passes over the upper e ii of the post, or the web may beomitted ig. 7) to allow passage of the spark and throttle controllingrods 33 and 34 (as shown in Fig. 11) or like mechanism. The latch-bolt2324 in this. case is preferably replaced by a pairof similar latcheslocated in a common guide-way 35, a single spring 36 sufficing to thrustthem out into the sockets.

ln the embodiment of the invention indi eaited in Figs. 8 to11,.inelusive. the head 38 is larger than that heretofore shown, and therods 33 and EH for the spark and throttle control levers 41 and 42 passup through it from the steering rod 43 in an obvious manner, the leversbeing arranged to sweep over an arc -l-l. The spider is formed of a pairof parallel bars 45 preferably integral. (the ends of which may becurved at 41'') and the laterally projecting spokes 48 upon which therim 4!) is supported; and the bars are provided with slots .30preferably struck on an are about a point above the wheel and inalinement with the rod 43w 'l'he latch-bolt. 51 (similar to the bolt23l-2 is. in this instance. prel'erabl located below the slots andforward of the steering rod and may be withdrawn by the finger grip :32which projects upwardly through a slot 53 in the head. spring L' ithrusts the. bolt. when the wheel is in steering position. into a socketformed in a boss Bl on one of the bars 15.

ln use. the latch may be witlnlranvn and the wheel dropped clockwiseabout the pivot until the riln strikes the rod (Fig. 10); it may be slidtransversely and tilted counterclockwise about the pivot (Fig. 9) in amanner similar to that indicated in Fig. 3; or by turning the wheelclockwise slightly (Fig. 9) until the groove 50 alines with thelatch-pin and thereupon allowinglthe latter to snap out into the groove,the wheel may he slid transversely in an arc, in wl ich case the forwardedge rises rapidly-a action that is accentuated by locating th latchboltrelatively low on the head 38- -o afford clearance past the wind shield(not hown).

The modification shown in Figs. 12 to 1G differs from those heretoforedescribed in two particulars :The pivot bolt (50 in this case has nofunction otherwise than as a pivot. perforated lugs 61 being formed onthe lower surfaces of the flanges 62 of the spider. and a cross bolt 63,adjusting nut (it and lock nut 65 serving to establish and insurg theproper frictional engagement twcci the wheel and the head (56. Lyingintermediate the ends of the slots (37 (that corre pond to the slots 13or 50 as the case may be). the cross bolt 3 gives rise to a more uniformdistribution of pressure between the wlfeel and head than is attained inthe constructions heretofore described. Another point of" differencebetween this embodiment'andtliose shown in Figs. 1 to 11 is inthelocking mechanism. The head in this instance has a socket ($8 (Fig.1(3) formed in one side to receive the tapered head 69 of a latch bolt,the body of which fits closely to the guide 70 in the spider. A handgrip 71 that is threaded into.the latch bolt serves as a convenientmeans for withdrawing the latter and a spring 7'2 tends to-thrust itinto the locking position,indicated in Fig. 16. For the purpose offorcing the latchfbplt back to allow an automatic lockingvi, tion as thewheel is swung into steering position, the head is provided with aninclined striker surface 73 against which the end of the latch boltstrikes. It is preferable also to taper the. head aml flanges slightlyso that they diverge. from each' other rcaywardly from the pivot, asshown in Fig? 12. whereby looseness on account of wear is largelyavoided.

Many changesmay obviously be. made in the details of constructionwithout dyparting from the spirit of my invention; and although thedevicc is especially ada' ited to pleasure cars. it may be uscdbn a-jiy' other HtlfvPl'UlN'llttl vehicle or on motorjbodts. I (hi/not.therefore. wish to be limited f )thcrwise than as imlicatcd by thesubjoined claims.

l claim:

1. In combination. a steering rod for a motor vehicle. a head attachedto the upper end of the rod. a steering wheel supported.

on the head. means whereby said wheel is allowed both a slldmg motiontransversely in respect to the steering rod and a tilting mafwm a wheelin steering prwiiinn 11pm; 1w-

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for a motor vehicle, a head attached to the upper end of the rod, enginecontrol mechanism passing up through the rod and projecting from itsupper end, a steering wheel, IMVOt means carried by the head, said wheelhaving means cooperating with said pivot means, whereby the wheel isallowed both a sliding and swinging movement about the pivot meanswithout interference with said control mechanism.

14. In' combination, a hollow steering rod for a motor vehicle, a headattached to the upper end of the rod, engine control mechanism passingup through the rod and projecting from its upper end, a steering wheel,means whereby said wheel is allowed both a sliding motion transverselyin respect tothe steering rod and a tilting motion about a pivot belowthe upper level of the wheel without interference with said controlmechanism, and means for locking said wheel in steering position uponthe head.

,15. In combination, a steering rod for a motor vehicle, a headattached-to the upper end of the rod, a steering wheel supported on thehead, means whereby said wheel is allowed both a curved sliding motiontransversely in respect to the steering rod and a. tilting motion aboutapivot below the upper level of the wheel, and means for looking saidwheel in steering position upon the head and against movementlongitudinally of the steering rod in both directions.

16. In combination; a steering rod for a motor vehicle, a headsuppqljted on the upper end of the rod, a steering wheel supported onthe head, pivot means about which the wheel may be tilted in respect tothe head, the axis of said pivot means being at right angles to the axisof the rod and being offset laterally from the latter, 'sald wheelincluding means whereby the wheel is also allowed a sliding motion inrespect to the axis of the pivot menns'and against movementlongitudinally of/the steering rod in both directions.

17. In combination, a StOGl'ilH? red for a motor vehicle, a head.supported on the np. per end of the rod, a steering wheel supported onthe head, pivot means about which the wheel may be tilted in respect tothe head, the axis of said pivot means being at right angles to the axisof the rod i and being oit'set laterally from the latter,

said wheel including means whereby the wheel is also allowed a slidingmotion in respect to the axis ot the pivot means, and means forestablishing a desired degree of t'rietional engagement between the headand the wheel whereby resistance is oll'ered to the sliding movement ofthe latter.

18. In combination, a steering rod for a motor vehicle. a head supportedon the up per end of the rod, a steering wheel supported on the head,pivot means about which the wheel may be tilted in respect to the head,theaxis of said pivot means being at right angles to the axis of the rodand being ofi'set laterally from the latter, said wheel including meanswhereby the wheel is also allowed a sliding motion in respect to theaxis of the pivot means, and means for locking the wheel in steeringposition and against movement longitudinally of the steering rod in bothdirections.

19. In combination, a steering rod for a motor vehicle, a head supportedon the upper end of the rod, a steering wheel supported on the, head,means whereby said wheel is allowed both a sliding motion transverselyin respect to the rod and a tilting motion about a pivotal axis belowthe upper level ofthe wheel, and means for automatically loo kin saidwheel in steering position on the heat and against movementlongitudinally of the steering rod in both directions.

20. In combination, a steering rod for a motor vehicle, a head supportedon theupper end of'the rod, a steering wheel ,supported on the head,said head and wheel constituting two members, a pivot harried by one ofthe members, the other member having a slot through which the pivotprojects, means for establishing a predetermined degree of frictionalengagement between the members, and means for positively locking themtogether in steering position.

21. In combination, a steering rod for a 10 motor vehicle, a headsupported on the upper end of the rod, a steering wheel supported on thehead, said head and wheel constituting two members, a pivot carried byone of the members, the other member 105 having a slot through which thepivot projects, and means for locking them together in steeringposition, said locking means comprising a latch member located below theslot when the wheel is in steering posi- 110 tion, and said lastmentioned member being arranged to be projected into the slot when therear side of the wheel is lowered, to form, together with the pivot, aguide for lateral sliding movement of the wheel 115 in respevt to therod.

22. In combination, a steering rod for a motor vehicle, a head supportedon the upper end of the rod, a steering wheel sup ported on the head,said head and wheel 1 0 constituting two members, a pivot carried by oneof the members, the other member having a slot through which the pivotprojects. said slot being curved and having its concave side upward, andmeans for lock- 125 ing them together insteering position, said lockingmeans comprising a latch member located below the slot when the wheel isin steering position, and said last mentioned member being arranged tobe projected into 130 the slot when the rear side of the wheel is wheelis allowed both a sliding motion lowered, to form, together with the pivot. a transversely in respect to the rod and a tiltguide for lateralsliding movement of the ing motion about a pivotal axis beloW the Wheelin respect to the rod, whereby the forupper level of the wheel, andmeans for 6 ward side of the wheel is caused to rise dun locking saidwheel in steering position on 15 ing the sliding movement. the head andagainst movement longitudi- 23. In combination, a steering rod for anally of the steering rod, in both directions. motor vehicle, a headsupported on the up In testinionv whereof I sign this specifiper end ofthe rod, a steering wheel supcation. .0 ported on the head, meanswhereby said EDWARD H. VINCENT.

